Joyce Marie Smothers

09/26/1938 - 02/07/2022

Obituary For Joyce Marie Smothers

VIEWING: Saturday, February 12, 2022 Time: 9:00AM - 10:00AM, Feggins Funeral Home, 409 South Hill Avenue, South Hill, VA 23970

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Saturday, February 12, 2022 Time: 11:00 AM Crestview Memorial Park, 18599 Highway One, North, LaCrosse, VA 23950 Rev. Sharon Baskerville, Officiating

Joyce Marie Smothers lived her life her way; by her rules, her likes, and her beliefs. She was born September 26, 1938 to the late William “Kayo” and Elizabeth Greene who had moved from Virginia to Montclair, NJ for a better life and to raise their children. As a child, Joyce attended the Montclair Public Schools and spent her idle time roller skating, going to the park and bike riding. Joyce was raised in a strict but loving home. Her father was the town barber so he knew all the town’s happenings, including the possible pitfalls and things Joyce and her siblings did when they weren’t home. All the town's news traveled through the barbershop and as a result, her father kept a tight grip on his children. This contradicted Joyce’s way of living and she left home at an early age to live her life her way; by her rules, her likes, and her beliefs.

Joyce became a young mother and had to make tough decisions to support and care for her children, whom she always referred to as “my children” despite the closeness they had with their fathers. She encountered a few true loves in her life, including Robert “Rob” Thomas and Harold “Hoppy” Kirkpatrick who fathered her 5 oldest children. She met her greatest love, Andrew “Carl” Smothers in 1961 and married him on September 6, 1966. Together they had 7 children, but Carl loved all her children as his own. She encountered a very serious illness years later, and that is when her firecracker personality began to subside but never truly ended. Her husband was by her side throughout her illness and all the way through his passing on November 28, 2008. You would often see them partying, gambling, and enjoying their children and grands together. Her illness pushed her to buy a home in the suburbs of Vauxhall, New Jersey leaving Newark, New Jersey to ensure her children had a greater chance at success in life just in case she succumbed to the illness. Joyce fought through her illness. Dr. Weber, a highly specialized doctor, and God kept her alive and healthy. The family remained in that home for many years to come prior to Joyce and Carl moving to South Hill, Virginia in 2006 to live out their remaining years with Joyce’s maternal family close by. As they adjusted to their new home, they found comfort and joy being close to the Feggins side of the family. After Carl’s passing, her son, Carlton “Sal” moved to the area to make sure she was well taken care of in all aspects of her life.

Her foundational Christian faith acquired as a child was exhibited in adulthood when she would tell people, “don’t pray for me, pray for the homeless,” her Christian music tapes, and her donations to places supporting those less fortunate. She became a member of the Free Union RZUA Church in Bracey, Virginia where she served as a Missionary.

Joyce Marie will most be remembered for the love and fun she had with her husband Carl, their children and their children’s families; the trips down to Virginia, over to Riverhead, Long Island, up to Maine in their newest model car or van, and as far south as Texas by plane and bus; and most importantly for her commitment and love she showed to her family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Smothers; her parents, William and Elizabeth Greene; her sisters, Velma, Barbara, Mildred, and Claudette; her sister in law, Mae Greene; her brother in law, Earl Richardson; her husband’s brothers, Robert, Richard and Dallas Smothers and their respective wives; her husband's sisters, Dorothy McCoy, Gladys Williams, Mozelle Brown, and Dora Langhorne and their respective husbands; her baby boy, Robert Thomas; her grandson, Curtis James Hawkins and many of her closest uncles, aunts, family members and friends; Mary Smothers, her sister in law from Newark, New Jersey being one of the closet.

She is survived by eleven children- Denise Dupree, Bedford, TX; Robin (Floyd “Sonny") Wright, Linden, NJ; Curtis (Kimberly) Hawkins, Newburgh, NY; Karla (Waverly) Flood, Elizabeth, NJ; Antionette Smothers, Saco, Maine; Andrew Smothers, Irvington, NJ; Carl Smothers-Windham, Maine; Joyce Smothers-Saco, Maine; Carlton Smothers, South Hill, VA; Adrian (Theophilus) Allotey, Colonial, NJ, and Melva Smothers, Biddeford, Maine; 11 Grandchildren; 30 Great-grandchildren; 6 Great-great-grandchildren; one sister- Constance Richardson, South Hill, VA; one brother- William Green, Newark,NJ; devoted friend and cousin- Willie Mae Feggins, South Hill, VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family asks that when you think of Joyce, you think of all the good times; the laughs, the parties, her smile, and most importantly the closeness she shared with her husband and children. Although her children, grands, family members and friends are extremely saddened by her passing and will miss her tremendously, Joyce was ready to leave this world. She began to openly and frequently discuss her end of life wishes and her desire to see and be with her deceased husband, family members and loved ones. She also made peace with many areas of her life, including the passing of her infant baby boy, Robert Thomas.

Asking all attendees to please wear a mask.

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